[Myocardial dysfunction subsequent to supraventricular tachycardia].

In a patient without a demonstrable heart disease a congestive heart failure developed during an atrioventricular tachycardia which persisted for 20 days at the rate of 180/b/m'. After conversion to sinus rhythm, by means of transesophageal pacing, a quick regression of the failure symptoms followed. The heart rate increase and the persistence of tachycardia may have determined the depletion of myocardial stores and therefore, the myocardial dysfunction responsible for the cardiac failure. In order to prevent myocardial dysfunctions, it is necessary to interrupt supraventricular tachycardias as early as possible, even when they are observed in patients without any heart disease.